Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah chapter 40 is a favorite starting point as we enter the Advent season. The beginning of the chapter begins with God comforting His people. Then, a promise of not simply a “voice” calling us to be prepared to welcome our God, but more than that: the promise of the revelation of His glory! The same chapter ends with a reminder that our God is forever – He is the one who gives hope to our weary, waiting hearts.

This waiting is active. All of us have mountains to be made low, and valleys to be raised up. What about the rough places to be made plain in anticipation of the King’s arrival? Are we ready to come face to face with His glory? Waiting is serious business. Only the hope found in Jesus’ salvation can sustain us. He is the only one who can strengthen us and give us power as we wait to welcome His answer to prayers. New prayers. Old prayers. Prayers that we haven’t uttered yet. Prayers that we have prayed so often that we are exhausted and can barely breathe.

But we wait on our Savior, so we will not faint. We wait for our Emmanuel. Our God with us. I forget that Jesus is my Emmanuel – every day, and not just during Advent. While there are many times when it feels like I am waiting alone, I am not... and neither are you! Emmanuel is with us. And while we wait, He is equipping us with His power and strength!

Praise the Lord!

Shireen